My grandfather passed away today

Nov. 12, 2001 | 91B

[91B]

My grandfather Samuel Carter Gouge passed away this afternoon at the VA hospital in Asheville, NC. With JimRob's indulgence I would like to post a brief obituary here on FR where it can be read by the finest collection of patriots I can think of.

Sam C. Gouge of Bakersville, NC died today at the Veteran's Administration hospital in Asheville, he was 85. Born in 1916 and named for his grandfather, a Civil war veteran of the third NC mounted infantry regiment of the Army of the Cumberland, Gouge was the son of a veteran of the Phillipine campaign in the Spanish-American war.

He graduated from Tipton Hill high school where he played basketball and baseball and worked in Gates City, Virginia until being drafted into the Army in 1942.

After training at Camp Wheeler in Macon, Georgia Gouge was sent overseas to Italy where he served with the 88th Infantry division. In November of 1944 Gouge was wounded in combat and evacuated to France where he served out the remainder of the war. Gouge earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal and European, Mediterranean and North African campaign medal.

Upon leaving the service in 1946 Gouge, a lifelong Republican, was elected Sheriff of Mitchell County, NC-a post he would hold until 1966. Gouge would consistently win reelection to office, often without opposition.

Gouge was a 2 handicap golfer and in the early 1970s he won the club championship at Grassy Creek Country Club-the Rhodedendron open.

Sam Gouge was an avid Republican partisan and he served on the NC state board of corrections during the administration of Gov. Jim Martin. He leaves behind his wife, Lois Gouge, three daughters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

[Skywalk]

*salute*

[Miss Marple]

My father passed away 6 years ago. He was a member of the 5th Army and served in North Africa and Italy as well. I still miss him, and I think I always will.

Your grandfather would be so proud of your writing about him, and I think, like others, you should include those personal things like his love of country and how proud he was of his family. You will not be sorry you did so.

Prayers for your family, and praise the Lord that we were given men like this when our country needed them.

[91B]

Thanks for that, I'm trying to collect my thoughts now-I'll try to talk to him after I can clear my head.

[91B]

thank you for your kind words.

[eleni121]

Our condolences. Another hero is embraced in the loving arms of God.

[geege]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather's passing.....I lost my grandparents 43 days apart.....My grandfather came from Italy in 1914 as a child and owned a shoe shop in Manhattan.....I remember I made him take me on the Cyclone at Coney Island when I was a kid:0)

[91B]

I will. When I was little he used to take me over to the VA in Johnson City, TN and we would go back to the cemetery. I always thought he was just letting me play on the old artillery piece back there but I think he was trying to impress upon me something that he didn't know just how to articulate.

[91B]

Thank you for your kind words.

[antivenom]

Your family was blessed with mighty fine stock. God bless your family, and may your pride for your grandfather be spread across America.

[4CJ]

I am sorry for you loss, but hope and pray that he leaves you with many wonderful memories. May God bless you and yours. We could never repay our veterans for what they have done for us.

[manna]

What a lovely tribute, 91B. Please accept my condolences.

[Justice]

I am grateful to several generations of your family for their willingness to sacrifice so we can enjoy freedom today. Looks like good values stretch back quite a few years in your family.

[potlatch]

I feel your sorrow. My father-in-law died in August, and a close [elderly] friend died this week. They both served in W.W.2. She was in the Army Nurse Corps. in Italy during the war. They could have known your Grandfather! Pray for them all.

[basil]

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful American!

My grandfather was also a Spanish American War Veteran.

Your grandfather will live on in you and everyone who knew and loved him.

[91B]

Thank you I am trying to collect my thoughts about what to say in his obituary. I really appreciate your suggestion.

[91B]

Thank you, I am sure that they do.

[sugar_puddin]

Prayers for comfort for you and your family during this difficult time. Your grandfather was indeed a true American Patriot.

[91B]

He never once led me wrong. Thanks for the advice.

[91B]

Thank you, he was very proud of his service to this country.

[91B]

Thank you for your kind words.